Antony condoles killing of Indian peacekeepers

New Delhi: Defence Minister A.K. Antony Tuesday expressed condolences over the killing of five Indian peacekeepers, including an officer, in South Sudan in an ambush by a rebel group and lauded the bravery of the martyred soldiers.

According to an official release, Antony conveyed his grief to the families of the soldiers killed.

The release said a contingent of the Indian Peacekeeping Force under the UN Mission in South Sudan was ambushed by a rebel group while escorting a UN convoy at 11.30 a.m. (IST).

"One officer, one junior commissioned officer and three jawans were martyred and three others (one officer and two jawans) received non-fatal injuries," the release said.

The bodies of the deceased soldiers were being brought to India for their final rites with full military honours.

The release said Antony conveyed his grief to the families of the soldiers and "lauded their bravery in the highest traditions of the Indian Army and in contribution to the peace and security in the world".

The Indian Army has contributed to UN Peacekeeping operations around the world for over six decades and has currently over 7,000 troops on four missions.